Mailed free to requesting homes in Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords 508-764-4325 PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR OF RELAY FOR LIFE OF THE GREATER SOUTHBRIDGE AREA! Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.WEBSTERTIMES.NET Friday, January 6, 2012 Fighting as a brotherhood to save a sister

WEBSTER FIREFIGHTERS RAISE FUNDS FOR ONE OF THEIR OWN

BY JOY RICHARD TIMES STAFF WRITER WEBSTER — Members of the Webster Fire Department and Rescue Squad continue to collect money for the dispatcher they affectionately refer to as their “den mother.” According to fire Capt. Paul Brinkley and dispatcher Greg Lynskey, their fellow department member — fire dispatcher Karen Ruda — is not only a coworker, but also a friend and a “comrade.” Lynskey said the department is working to raise money for Ruda and her family while she awaits a heart transplant at Tufts University Medical Center in Boston. He said Ruda had been fighting numerous medical Amanda Collins photos battles for the last 24 years, and she and her family’s strength have brought her this far. 8. Rams cheerleading captain Katie Nowicki, a senior, made fast friends with Courtesy photo Gabby Lotter, 4. “Karen Ruda is our friend,” said Lynskey and Brinkley in a joint press release last week. “She is a Webster Fire Department Dispatcher Karen Ruda is fighting mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, girlfriend the biggest battle of her life as she waits for a heart transplant and best friend to many. But to those of us who work at Tufts University Medical Center in Boston. with Karen daily, she is more than just our friend. No RREADYEADY,, OOKK!! matter who the person is, how big the challenge, or health, but Lynskey and Brinkley said she is keeping how much support someone may need, Karen has in best spirits she can. DUDLEY — The Shepherd Hill Regional High School cheerleaders always been the person to be there showing her love “Although her heart may be very weak physically,we hosted their annual cheering clinic Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Dudley and support in a time of need.” all know that Karen’s heart is made of gold,” said Middle School. According to the release, Ruda has been moved up the transplant priority list because of her declining Turn To FIREFIGHTERS page A12 For more photos, please turn to Page A5! Selectman jumps into state rep race

BOURQUE TO RUN IN 2012 VS. FATTMAN

BY JOY RICHARD tion, he is looking forward to TIMES STAFF WRITER standing up for the community he WEBSTER — There will be a has grown to love. race this election season. Board of Bourque said he became inter- Selectmen Vice Chairman Donald ested in the position after serving Bourque recently announced he more than two years as a select- would be running as a Democrat man, and owning a business in for state representative this Auburn. November. Bourque said there were 71 sup- Bourque declared his candidacy porters in attendance at the event. during a gathering at 88 Bistro He was pleased to see such posi- Wednesday, Dec. 21. So far he is tive energy from the large group the only Democrat to announce of residents. his intention to run against state “Needless to say I was extreme- Rep. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). ly thrilled to have the support of Fattman will be taking over the the community,and all of the peo- representative position in ple who came out,” said Bourque. Webster, Douglas and the south- “I could not have been any more ern part of Oxford from Rep. pleased with turn out.” Kevin Kuros (R-Uxbridge) as a During an interview last week File photo result of district reconfigurations Fattman said he “welcomes” Webster Board of Selectmen Vice approved last year. Bourque to the race, and he is Chairman Donald Bourque recently Bourque said he is excited to looking forward to defending his threw his hat into the state representa- jump into the 2012 race. seat. tive race. He will be running in November Seasoned Shepherd Hill cheerleaders gave the less experienced girls a leg up. as a Democrat against current Rep. He said if voted into the pos